John Stones | Defensemen

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As injury problems mount for Everton – Darron Gibson, Mo Besic, Aiden McGeady and Tony Hibbert will all miss the start of the season – there is more bad news for Roberto Martinez concerning center-back John Stones. Manchester United have now made an enquiry…

It’s not been a good summer for Roberto Martinez and Everton. His intention was to strengthen each ‘line’ of his team – Defense, Midfield and Attack – but has spent most of his energies keeping his current squad intact. John Stones looks certain to go, with Chelsea’s second bid of £26m unlikely to be their last. And now that prime target Sergio Ramos is set to sign a new deal with Real Madrid, Manchester United have entered the race. United have an extra £45m in the pot from Angel Di Maria’s departure, so Everton can at least expect to get top dollar for Stones from a Chelsea v Man United bidding war. And Man City may yet still have a say. The Mirror report that United are ready to throw Jonny Evans into the package, which might appeal as Everton are down to the bare bones in central defense. Jul 31 - 4:24 AM

Man City are reported to have entered the race to sign Everton defender John Stones, with Chelsea preparing a third bid…

Everton have so far resisted two bids from Chelsea for John Stones. An initial water-testing £20 million followed by a ‘let’s get serious’ £26m. But the noises coming out of both clubs suggest it is merely a question of finding the tipping point before the deal happens. Jose Mourinho has mused he might have offer a record-breaking figure to get his man. Gary Gahill has urged his young England team-mate to jump and Stone’s himself is apparently keen to go. Enter Man City… It seems that last season’s runners-up are getting twitchy about the Champions further strengthening, so are readying a bid themselves. Whether it is to bolster their own defense or just weaken Chelsea’s is not clear. But the bidding war it could create will at least provide Everton with that record fee they are after. Jul 30 - 6:53 AM

Everton are reported to be on the verge of signing center-back Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kiev. But is he a replacement for Sylvain Distin or John Stones…?

Signals coming out of Everton suggest they are close to signing a much needed center-back, but the mood is far from celebratory. Reports say the Toffees have moved ahead of Napoli in the race for Dynamo Kiev’s Austrian international Aleksandar Dragovic. The 29-year-old is being touted as a replacement for the departed Sylvain Distin, but many will be thinking that the deal is merely paving the way for John Stones to join Chelsea. Dragovic will cost around £9 million, which will leave plenty of change from the £30-odd million tag placed on Stones. But losing their prized asset on the eve of the season will be a huge blow to morale. With Romelu Lukaku possibly out for the big kick-off with a hamstring injury and a ‘disillusioned’ James McCarthy ready to open negotiations with Tottenham, it has not been a great for boss Roberto Martinez. Jul 29 - 6:22 AM

Chelsea are reportedly planning to up their £20 million bid for Everton’s John Stones to £26m within the next 48-hrs – and Roberto Martinez looks to have lined up a replacement…

If anyone doubted that money would talk, Chelsea appear set to get their man sooner or later. Roberto Martinez is braced for an increased big of £26m in the next day or two for John Stones. Everton have placed a £34m price tag on the 21-year-old center-back but you suspect would settle for something midway between the two. Meanwhile, £10m of the fee looks to have been allocated to Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk. Martinez acknowledged that his squad was not complete and that central defence is a problem position. But whether the Dutch center-back is a replacement or reinforcement will become clear soon. Jul 27 - 6:25 AM